40 HERON. 



seem well adapted, being of the most delicate texture, and floating 

 with every breath of wind,* but hitherto have not been in sufficient 

 plenty to become common. 



I am obliged to the late Mr. Smealhman for several observations 

 made on this bird during his residence at Sierra Leona, in Africa. 

 After saying, that an adult will often measure full seven feet ; he 

 adds, that the head, covered with white down, thinly dispersed, 

 appears not unlike a grey-headed man, and his description corresponds 

 with what is before said ; also, that they are met with in companies; 

 and when seen at a distance, near the mouths of rivers, coming 

 towards an observer, which they often do with their wings extended, 

 may well be taken for canoes, upon the surface of a smooth sea ; 

 when on the sand banks, for men and women picking up shell-fish, 

 or other things on the beach. One of these, a young bird, about 

 five feet high, was brought up tame, and presented to the Chief of 

 the Bananas, where Mr. Smeathman lived ; and being accustomed to 

 be fed in the great hall, soon became familiar, duly attending that 

 place at dinner time, placing itself behind its master's chair, fre- 

 quently before the guests entered ; the servants were obliged to watch 

 narrowly, and to defend the provisions with switches, but, notwith- 

 standing, it would frequently snatch something or other, and once 

 purloined a whole boiled fowl, which it swallowed in an instant. Its 

 courage is not equal to its voracity, for a child, of eight or ten years 

 old, soon puts it to flight with a switch, though at first it seems to 

 stand on its defence, by threatening with its enormous bill, widely 

 extended, and roaring with a loud hoarse voice, like a bear or tiger. 

 Is an enemy to small quadrupeds, as well as birds and reptiles, and 

 slyly destroys Fowls and Chicken, though it dares not attack a Hen 

 with her young openly. Every thing is swallowed whole, and so 

 accommodating is its throat, that not only an animal as big as a cat 

 is gulped down, but a shin of beef, broken asunder, serves it but for 



* A good idea may be formed of their excessive lightness, from the weight of one, 

 which measured eleven inches and three quarters in length, and seven in breadth, and only 

 balanced eight grains. 



